Children pose by the slide, and some make goofy faces, at the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

Children pose by the slide, and some make goofy faces, at the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

Image 2 of 5

Kids race up staggered platforms while playing in the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

Kids race up staggered platforms while playing in the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

Image 3 of 5

A boy slides down a padded incline while playing in the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

A boy slides down a padded incline while playing in the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

Image 4 of 5

After sliding down the slide, a boy rushes to climb back up to the top of the play structure while playing in the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

After sliding down the slide, a boy rushes to climb back up to the top of the play structure while playing in the Kingwood United Methodist Church indoor playground Thursday, July 28.

Image 5 of 5

Kingwood United Methodist Church offers rain-or-shine fun with indoor playground

1 / 5

Back to Gallery

The playground outside Kingwood United Methodist Church was vacant on the rainy afternoon of Thursday, July 28.

However, the same could not be said about the church’s indoor playground, which was bustling with energetic children racing up staggered platforms and flying down the slide.

With more drizzly days predicted in the coming weeks, indoor alternatives to outdoor children’s activities may become a sought-after commodity.

Kingwood United Methodist Church’s indoor playground is barely one-year-old now and has served as a way to develop the children’s ministry and to engage the community.

“This is a ministry of the church that we consider a kind of outreach to the community as well as something that our children can use on days like this when they can’t go outside and play,” Reverend Ellen Kent, director of children’s ministries, said. “We welcome anyone to come in and use it. It’s available to the public during certain hours, but it’s kind of random during the summer because we’ve had different ministries that use it. Normally during the school year, it’s open to the public from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and then Friday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.”

A couple of years ago, the church underwent a complete renovation.

“A major purpose of the renovation project was to expand the children’s facilities like the children’s classrooms. So, this was a part of that. We wanted to be able to do more ministry and have a better ministry for children.”

Kingwood area resident Rachel Uresti brought her children to the church’s indoor playground for the first time Thursday afternoon.

“We thought we’d check it out,” Uresti said. “I think it’s a hit. This is great when it’s raining because it’s a place where they’re able to wear out their energy indoors and it gives them a place where they can meet new friends.”